question about Eleanor Beauchamp
question about Eleanor Beauchamp
2013-11-18 17:47:04
Our chapter of the American branch (greater Seattle, WA, area, USA) will be studying the Beauforts in 2014, and one of our members sent the question below to our membership. I am unable to answer the question, but, considering the vast knowledge of this forum, I'm hoping someone here might be able to help?
Thanks,MargieNorthwest Chapter
------------------------------------
I have been working on the Beauforts and made a genealogic table for them but wonder if you would be able to find some information that differs from what I have. I have not been able to look her up in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography yet. Eleanor Beauchamp, the Countess of Somerset (husband was Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset who died 1455 at the 1st battle of St. Albans) was listed. From the sparse information on the internet, her birth and death dates seem to be 1408-1467. She and Edmund have eight children listed, being born between 1431 and 1455. I can understand that she would be able have her first child at age 23 (Eleanor, born 1431) but find it odd that she would have her last one, John, at age 47 in 1455. My guess is that her listed birthdate is wrong. She should have been included in the Beauchamp Roll as her father was Richard Beauchamp, 5th Earl of Warwick. I assume there are dates on that but do not know. If there is a chance that her dates are wrong, I could go with a birthdate of 1415 or so, she would still be 40 when she had the last child, pretty old for the Middle Ages? Do you have a source for a later date for her birthdate?
Re: question about Eleanor Beauchamp
2013-11-18 19:47:37
Unfortunately, the only alternate date I've found only further complicates this matter. Some sources claim a birth year of 1407 for Eleanor. :-(
On the other hand, we should maybe be less quick to assume a 40ish year old woman wouldn't be able to bear a child. There's a fair amount of personal variability. As I recall, Cecily Neville was around 37 when she delivered Richard...and there were subsequent births (although none survived).
Just a thought.Judy Loyaulte me lie
On Monday, November 18, 2013 11:47 AM, Margie Deck <margiedeck2@...> wrote:
Our chapter of the American branch (greater Seattle, WA, area, USA) will be studying the Beauforts in 2014, and one of our members sent the question below to our membership. I am unable to answer the question, but, considering the vast knowledge of this forum, I'm hoping someone here might be able to help?
Thanks,MargieNorthwest Chapter
------------------------------------
I have been working on the Beauforts and made a genealogic table for them but wonder if you would be able to find some information that differs from what I have. I have not been able to look her up in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography yet. Eleanor Beauchamp, the Countess of Somerset (husband was Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset who died 1455 at the 1st battle of St. Albans) was listed. From the sparse information on the internet, her birth and death dates seem to be 1408-1467. She and Edmund have eight children listed, being born between 1431 and 1455. I can understand that she would be able have her first child at age 23 (Eleanor, born 1431) but find it odd that she would have her last one, John, at age 47 in 1455. My guess is that her listed birthdate is wrong. She should have been included in the Beauchamp Roll as her father was Richard Beauchamp, 5th Earl of Warwick. I assume there are dates on that but do not know. If there is a chance that her dates are wrong, I could go with a birthdate of 1415 or so, she would still be 40 when she had the last child, pretty old for the Middle Ages? Do you have a source for a later date for her birthdate?
On the other hand, we should maybe be less quick to assume a 40ish year old woman wouldn't be able to bear a child. There's a fair amount of personal variability. As I recall, Cecily Neville was around 37 when she delivered Richard...and there were subsequent births (although none survived).
Just a thought.Judy Loyaulte me lie
On Monday, November 18, 2013 11:47 AM, Margie Deck <margiedeck2@...> wrote:
Our chapter of the American branch (greater Seattle, WA, area, USA) will be studying the Beauforts in 2014, and one of our members sent the question below to our membership. I am unable to answer the question, but, considering the vast knowledge of this forum, I'm hoping someone here might be able to help?
Thanks,MargieNorthwest Chapter
------------------------------------
I have been working on the Beauforts and made a genealogic table for them but wonder if you would be able to find some information that differs from what I have. I have not been able to look her up in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography yet. Eleanor Beauchamp, the Countess of Somerset (husband was Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset who died 1455 at the 1st battle of St. Albans) was listed. From the sparse information on the internet, her birth and death dates seem to be 1408-1467. She and Edmund have eight children listed, being born between 1431 and 1455. I can understand that she would be able have her first child at age 23 (Eleanor, born 1431) but find it odd that she would have her last one, John, at age 47 in 1455. My guess is that her listed birthdate is wrong. She should have been included in the Beauchamp Roll as her father was Richard Beauchamp, 5th Earl of Warwick. I assume there are dates on that but do not know. If there is a chance that her dates are wrong, I could go with a birthdate of 1415 or so, she would still be 40 when she had the last child, pretty old for the Middle Ages? Do you have a source for a later date for her birthdate?
Richard III on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, We earn from qualifying purchases.